The parcel of land known as Fort Detrick Area B was used as a testing and disposal area for chemical, biological and radiological material from the 1940s until 1970.

Wastes disposed at the site released trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) into the groundwater, contaminating residential drinking water wells, according to the release.

In 2009, EPA listed Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater on the Superfund National Priorities List, which required EPA and DoD to sign a federal facility agreement governing the cleanup.

Under the Superfund law, the agreement grants EPA final authority over cleanup decisions, the release stated.

“Today’s agreement is a significant milestone that will benefit the local community and environment. The agreement outlines the way that EPA and the Department of Defense will work together to assess and clean up the site,” said Shawn M. Garvin, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic Region.